The Northernmost Record of Champsodon nudivittis (Ogilby, 1895) in the Mediterranean Sea

Abstract

Champsodon nudivittis (Ogilby, 1895), also known as the nakedband gaper, is distributed in theAegean and Levantine parts of the Mediterranean Sea. It has been reported in the MediterraneanSea as a Red Sea immigrant. The first record of the species in the Mediterranean Sea was reportedin 2009 from the Levantine coasts. In this study, two individuals of nakedband gaper were capturedabout two months apart from the north of Gokceada Island, in the North Aegean Sea. The specimens were obtained using a trawl at depths of 100-120 m. Their total lengths were measured as 117and 122 mm. This report extends the distribution of C. nudivittis to the North Aegean Sea, markingits northernmost record in the Mediterranean Sea to date. Moreover, the species is the second RedSea originated fish recorded in the area between Gokceada Island, Samothraki Island and SarosBay. C. nudivittis is known as a predator, hence, its population density should be monitored and itsimpact on the ecosystem should be assessed in the North Aegean Sea.